The Marine and coastal environments (MACE) network is one of Imperial College London's cross-faculty Networks of Excellence.


The global oceans cover over 70% of the surface of our planet. About 40% of the world’s population lives within 100km of the coasts. Considering business as usual and forecasted rates of sea level rise, about 5% of the world’s population will be flooded annually by 2100. Marine and coastal environments are a vital part of human development, they are a key component of the climate system, they represent vast resources of food and material, they are the place where we hide our wastes (including, plastics, carbon and the excess heat associated with emissions of greenhouse gases), and constitute an enormous reservoir of renewable energy: tidal, wave, offshore wind and ocean thermal energy conversion are all technologies that will be key in answering the global carbon and energy challenge.

Clearly, our civilization is dependent on its relationship with the sea on a variety of time and space scale. Developing an understanding of ocean phenomena is a priority if one is to develop a better understanding and management strategies for these marine and coastal environments. Recognizing this, many Imperial scientists are already working on marine and coastal systems. By connecting this expertise, the Marine and Coastal Environments Network (MACE-Network) helps Imperial scientists build on each other’s resources and capability in a synergistic and more efficient way.

Objectives of the MACE-Network

  • Identify and advertise strengths in the marine science sector across Imperial College and raise awareness about marine and maritime applications opportunities for science and technology developments.
  • Facilitate, stimulate and coordinate marine science research across faculties
  • Promote multidisciplinary collaborations within the College.
  • Develop partnerships with other academic institutes, associations, foundations, government agencies and businesses nationally and internationally.
  • Inspire the marinization of training and teaching programmes by leveraging existing departmental resources to offer coordinated student supervision, teaching and field research opportunities.